Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 434 The Child's Thoughts

"Is there anything unusual happening in Iran lately?"

"Without a father, everything is peaceful."

Upon returning from his trip, Naser al-Din and Murad went into the office together. He had read the reports on the Hejaz Railway and Qinistan, and they had handled them very well.

"Mourad, tell me, what are the current problems facing Iran?"

This question gave Murad some time to think, after all, Iran is so vast, but the issues are essentially just a few, he said.

“Father, I think Iran should focus on preserving its agriculture and developing its industry. Our arable land is less than that of Britain and France, let alone Russia. We need to protect our agriculture to maintain the production of food and other agricultural products.”

Iran's agriculture is mainly distributed along the Caspian coast, the Caucasus Plain, the Mesopotamian Plain, the small plains in the Anatolian Mountains, and the oases of the Transoxiana region and the Arabian Peninsula. While arable land has indeed increased significantly, the population has also grown from 2000 million to 3000 million. The majority of this population consists of conquered subjects who are largely subservient to Iranian rule. In particular, the land redemption policy has garnered the Shah's support from the peasantry.

Murad wasn't very clear about the domestic agricultural situation, but he heard that China had less arable land than Britain and France, and also less than Russia and Austria. He felt that China would definitely need to import food in the future. What if we imported from Russia and were then cut off from our food supply?
"Yes, agriculture is the foundation, and industry is an extension. But for now, we still need to develop industry."

Naserdin patted Murad on the head. "Our total arable land is less than two-thirds of France's, not to mention Russia's Ukraine."

"Do you know why the British dared to strangle Russia?" Shah suddenly asked, answering himself before his son could reply, "Because London controlled Chile's saltpeter and India's cotton. Industry can certainly make cannons more powerful, but without a stable food supply, even the most elite army will surrender on an empty stomach."

Murad then noticed a new bronze sculpture in his father's study—Demeter, the ancient Greek goddess of agriculture, holding ears of wheat but standing on a Persian scimitar. This contradictory imagery suddenly made him realize something: "So you approved the land redemption order?"

“Not only,” Nasser al-Din said, his cane sweeping across Iranian territory. “Everywhere needs to protect rivers and water sources and do our utmost to improve water use. We are not Britain, where every resource needs to be carefully considered before it is used.”

So that's it! Murad finally understood why his father spent so much money every year maintaining Iran's tree-planting teams and why March 12th was designated as Arbor Day. Encouraging people to plant trees—that was the reason behind it.

As for industry, it's even simpler. Generally speaking, it still requires government encouragement and substantial investment in education and scientific research. A significant portion of government funds and the Royal Family Fund are allocated to these two areas, and the amount is still increasing.

However, results have begun to emerge in recent years, taking synthetic dyes as an example. Parsey Chemicals' Shahe Red, due to its vibrant color and water resistance, has been ordered in large quantities by the textile industry. At the same time, they have also invented another method that can significantly reduce the cost of aniline purple, which has been exported in large quantities, reportedly almost driving the British inventor into bankruptcy.

In addition, oil, internal combustion engines, and electricity are Naserdin's largest investments. Oil is beginning to show profits, but the other two will probably take several more years.

“Father, actually… besides these, there is one more thing you need to consider.”

Seeing Murad's hesitant expression, Nasser al-Din knew what it was about. "While I was away, those people submitted another petition, didn't they?" Murad nodded and produced the petition. Sure enough, it was another petition for the Shah to establish a constitutional monarchy.

After more than a decade of development, Iran has cultivated a group of intellectuals and a bourgeoisie. Their desire for political independence has grown stronger, and from 1860 to the present, the number of petitions received each year is staggering.

Led by the Liberal Party, organizations such as the Business Council formed the Parliamentary Alliance, aiming to persuade the Shah to convene a parliament and implement British-style parliamentary politics. They created the newspaper "The Liberty" to promote their ideas and gained considerable support.

However, after the Shah established unshakeable authority throughout the country, the Liberal Party changed its tactics, proposing to establish a parliament through consultation. This displeased some, who wanted a truly national consultative assembly based on the principles of liberty, equality, and ministerial responsibility, electing representatives from across the empire regardless of class, race, or religion. From then on, the Sultan and his ministers would be accountable to this assembly. Following the British system of government, the Shah's absolute power would be constrained, and he would have to respect the opinions and will of the entire nation.

In protest against the Liberal Party's shift, they joined forces with members dissatisfied with the Progressive Party's practices to form the Liberal Democratic Association. However, they only withdrew from the party, not the alliance. During the parliamentary session, their goals remained aligned.

However, the government is not without allies. The Progressive Party and the Revival Party have always been pro-government factions. They hold a majority in the expert panel, and regarding their demand for an immediate parliamentary session, they propose that the Shah's wishes should prevail, and that parliament should not convene until he agrees.

“Father, take a look at the Liberal Party’s petition. I think they make a lot of sense. Elected representatives enter Parliament, and everything needs to be discussed to ensure that the will of the people is represented to the greatest extent. Parliament will help you with some of the work, so you won’t have to work so hard.”

He's just a child; he might even agree to a petition like that.

"Perhaps. Nothing is as good as it seems. If the parliament is so useful, why did a resolution to kill the king come about?"

"Because...because they committed treason, and traitors, even kings, must be executed."

This little rascal is quite knowledgeable about history; it seems the tutor we hired for him wasn't a waste of time.

"If this resolution passes by a single vote, will those who disagree be ignored?"

"This……"

Murad was stumped by the question. “Since it is a representation of the will of the entire nation, then the wishes of the majority of the nation must be taken into account. Parliament must be established, but not now. Perhaps… it will be established within the next seven years.”

Murad deduced from the incoherent words that the parliament was definitely going to be established, but the timing was still under consideration. If those people heard this, they might all kneel down and praise the Shah's wisdom. With a monarch who listens to the people's voice, why wouldn't they follow him?

(End of this chapter)